We introduced the kids to the movie Groundhog Day last week. It was terribly appropriate. Last week I sent out birthday wishes to my dear friend….only to realize a minute into my message that I was in the wrong month. I have absolutely no concept of what day it is. But the alarm keeps going off and thankfully at least it isn’t “I’ve Got You Babe” that I am subjected to every morning. (If you don’t get that reference, maybe it is time you were introduced to Groundhog Day as well. May I recommend Friday Night?)
We have settled into a cautious rhythm. I admit my first few weeks were punctuated with worry and fear. We would be going about as normal, and then some news report or rumor weed or message from a friend would send that stab of fear into my heart. It is hard to believe sometimes that the day can be so sunny and beautiful and yet so much hurt be swirling around us. There are now over 900 cases of the virus in Ucayali, our region of Peru. That’s just the ones who have been able to be tested. Testing is limited here. The hospitals are already overwhelmed and are hindered by fear and lack of supplies. Two hospitals have had doctors infected from lack of proper equipment. Probably more dire though are the physical needs not being met. Families are without work and therefore without food. Savings isn’t something many people have to rely on here.
I think like Bill Murray’s character in the movie, we have our good days and our bad days. Each morning we wake up and take a step forward, giving ourselves grace to start over. I have taken to putting scripture around the house. One of the one’s I posted came from the series “The Chosen” on Youtube. If you haven’t seen it, I highly recommend it. We are four episodes into eight and are loving this look at Jesus’s life through the eyes and backstories of the disciples. In the the first episode, there was a powerful moment, when Jesus looked at Mary Magdalene and called her by name, reciting Isaiah 43:1: Do not be afraid. I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. You are mine.
HE KNOWS OUR NAME. Can we just sit on that a minute. Not just our name, but our emotions, our fears, our most intimate feelings…and is right here with us in it. “Do not fear…YOU are mine.” We are not an impersonal collection of created souls…He calls us out and claims us by name.
I don’t know about you, but I need that kind of familiarity right now. I need a God who knows not just my beginning and end, but all the in between…AND holds me in it. In the midst of storm, I praise Him for all that is good:
-We are safe and healthy. Our family is well provided for and cared for.
-We have been blessed with extra that we have been able to share with others around us. Thank you God for the provision to be able to do that!
-School has been able to continue. It has been a challenge, but thanks to internet that has worked and available technology, we have been able to continue teaching the kids of SAM Academy. We’ll finish out the school year this way. Though not ideal, we are so thankful to keep connecting, teaching and ministering to our students.
-We have an amazing community here on our base that has been looking out for each other. Our temporary music teacher, Carolyn, was able to secure one of the last repatriation flights out which is a great blessing for us and her…we are happy she can be home with family and finish her college studies back in the States. That leaves two families and two single teachers here on the base. Unfortunately for Ella and Liam, they are the only kids so they are aching to see and play with their friends.
Through all this, we praise him in thanks…and then we turn to prayer:
-We pray for the hurting people around us. We pray for provisions for the most vulnerable and that work will open up soon so that people may again feed their families.
-We pray for healing and a stop to this virus. Hospitals here are overwhelmed and short on supplies. We pray for God’s overwhelming peace for families who are grieving without the comfort of being surrounded by family and friends. A mass grave has been dug outside of town for those who have died from the virus. My heart hurts for those who won’t even be able to visit a marked grave for their loved one.
-We pray for the future as the country begins to open back up, that leaders would be wise in their decisions. Already we are realizing some of the consequences of this time. Mike is struggling to find ways to fill our book orders and get them delivered as all of our planned summer teams have cancelled. We also pray that by August we will be allowed to meet in large groups so we can reopen school physically.
As we pray all these things, we pray the same for you. Though the details may look different, it has been a unique time knowing that our own struggles and being faced all around the world, not just in our tiny part of it. We lift up our churches that they may be able to connect and spread light in unique ways. We pray for your health and safety. Most of all, we pray that God meets you right where you are in this crazy mess and that you hear His distinct whisper calling, “Do not be afraid. I have redeemed you. I have called you by name. YOU are mine.”
Family of 4 Serving 1 